Original British WWI Lead Core Trench Raiding Club With Hobnail Studded End - Broad Arrow Marked

Item DescriptionOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a fantastic example of a World War One British trench raiding mace or club with a lead core and 20 hobnails embedded into the end. Its length approximates 18 inches and has a mass of nearly 2 lbs. The diameter of the head from one point to another is approximately 1 3/4 inches. A hole was drilled to the base for a lanyard, and one was added recently.The wood has aged wonderfully and there is actually a stampedG.R.over aBroad Arrowon the club below the hobnails. From our research, we believe that this piece of wood may have been from a stamped piece of issue equipment, such as a billy club or stretcher handle, and this stamp may have been left over from that. The rather crude straight cut of the opposite end supports this theory. The piece does have the basic overall shape of a billy club, so this is the most likely possibility.From the extremely heavy cracking surrounding the lead core, we are confident in the authenticity of this example as a period trench club and not a later-made mockup. The lead core is now a small bit loose due to the cracking.An incredible example of a nearly impossible to find Great War British Trench Mace. From the heavy cracking and wear, it's safe to say that this example likely saw heavy use in the field. Don't miss it!Trench raiding clubs were homemade melee weapons used by both the Allies and the Central Powers during World War I. Clubs were used during nighttime trench raiding expeditions as a quiet and effective way of killing or wounding enemy soldiers. The clubs were usually made out of wood. It was common practice to fix a metal object at the striking end (e.g. an empty Mills bomb) in order to maximize the injury inflicted. Another common design comprised a simple stave with the end drilled out and a lead weight inserted, with rows of large hobnails hammered in around its circumference. Most designs had some form of cord or leather strap at the end to wrap around the user's wrist. Bosnian soldiers serving in the Austro-Hungarian army were fond of using maces. They were also used by officers to finish enemy soldiers wounded by poison gas attacks.Trench clubs were manufactured in bulk by units based behind the lines. Typically, regimental carpenters and metal workers would make large numbers of the same design of club. They were generally used along with other 'quiet' weapons such as trench knives, entrenching tools, bayonets, hatchets and pickaxe handles – backed up with revolvers and hand grenades.Shipping RestrictionsThis product is available for international shipping.Payment OptionsNot eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon